What is the admissions process and when are the application deadlines?

Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE to apply to UB's MS programs?

Yes. The GMAT exam is a requirement
for application to the MS Accounting program. We will accept the
GMAT or GRE for the MS Finance, MS Management Information Systems
and the MS Supply Chains and Operations Management programs.

What is the average GMAT score?

Average GMAT scores vary by program.
While the admissions committee evaluates each candidate’s
overall application when making decisions, the committees do look
for a minimum of 30% on each section of the GMAT.

What is a competitive GRE score?

The faculty admissions committees
look for a score of at least 150 on the verbal and quantitative
sections of the GRE. Admission is competitive, and the entire exam
is evaluated for admission.

What is the average TOEFL or IELTS score?

Our TOEFL iBT target is 95 with
no section lower than 22. The university minimum for the IELTS exam
is an overall score of 6.5 with no individual section below 6.0.
The Pearson Test of English will be considered with an overall
score of 73 and no section below 68.

When do I have to pay the tuition and fees?

The first payment due is the $500
tuition deposit to confirm your seat. Your tuition bill will be due
according to a university schedule.
Note: you cannot pay your tuition bill with cash.

What types of financial aid are available?

New York State residents may be
eligible for New York State financial aid. All domestic students
may be eligible for some form of educational loans. No direct
School of Management aid is available for the MS programs. Students
can apply for student loans by completing the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may also apply
for on-campus work opportunities when they arrive at UB.

Where can I find housing information?

Program Structure

Can I waive management subjects or transfer credits from previous coursework?

UB generally does not accept transfer
credit for MS coursework, and no courses are waived regardless of
previous experience or education.

Are there required prerequisites for the MS programs?

Each MS program has specific
requirements, so you should review each program
in detail.

What are the degree requirements?

A detailed description of each
program's curriculum is found in the MBA/MS
handbook.

Can I do an internship?

This depends on your residency/visa
status. Due to U.S. immigration regulations, internships are
available to international students who are in a program that
requires them as part of the curriculum. International students may
elect to complete optional
practical training following completion of their degree. U.S.
students can complete an internship, even if it is not required,
depending on availability of sponsoring organizations.

Are any of the MS programs considered STEM programs?

Both our MS Finance and our MS
Management Information Systems program are STEM-eligible, which
provides international student F-1 visa holders additional time for
Optional Practical Training (OPT). The MS Accounting and MS Supply
Chains and Operations Management programs do not qualify as STEM
and therefore do not qualify for the STEM OPT extension.

How can I make an advisement appointment?

Call the Graduate Programs Office at
716-645-3204. If you are a prospective applicant, we encourage you
to attend an on-campus information session or schedule a
personalized visit. If you are an admitted student, our office will
provide information over the summer prior to enrollment regarding
academic advisement appointments.

Classes

What is the average class size?

An average MS class will include
about 30-40 students. Some electives may be as small as 15 or as
large as 50.

What is a typical course load?

MS students must take five
courses or 15-16 credits per semester to graduate on schedule. The
MS Accounting, Management Information Systems and Supply Chain and
Operations Management programs are two semesters in length; the MS
Finance program is three semesters long. Some students with limited
business backgrounds may be required to take an additional course
each semester.

How many hours per week will I need to study?

Study time outside the classroom
varies greatly from student to student and fluctuates throughout
the semester based on assignments and exams. You should expect to
invest a minimum of 20 hours per week studying.

When do classes start?

Fall 2015 classes begin on August 31.
International students will have orientation the week prior to the
start of classes. Additional details and MS Advantage registration
information will be provided on the incoming student website.

What is MS Advantage?

MS Advantage is a required program
for both domestic and international students. International
students must also attend the International Student Orientation run
by the university. Additional MS Advantage information will be
communicated on our incoming student website.

Will I need to buy books?

Yes. You will need to buy textbooks
assigned by faculty members and will probably want to buy
additional books to help you read around the subject. Texts are
available at the University Bookstore, which maintains book
lists, and other sources such as a number of websites. Book lists
are maintained by the University Bookstore. The Graduate Programs
Office does not maintain this information.

What books are required for each class?

A list of the texts used in each class is
available at the campus bookstore. You may purchase the book at the
bookstore or acquire it from other sources (i.e. online).
Professors will provide a syllabus with required textbooks on the
first day of class.

What is the teaching style for UB professors?

UB faculty employ theoretical, case
study, applied and practical teaching methods throughout the
curriculum. The teaching method used in a class is the choice of
the individual professor, and most courses will combine these
methods. Students are expected to participate and contribute
to class and team discussions.

How accessible is the faculty to students?

Faculty members are here to support
you. It's up to you to contact them to make an appointment to
discuss a particular issue. In addition, most faculty members use
email regularly and will happily answer quick questions that
way.

Student Life

What student activities are available?

Our student organizations offer many
extracurricular activities throughout the year. You will be made
aware of these by email or bulletin board
postings. Contact the sponsoring student
organization for details.

Do I need a computer?

UB expects every incoming MS student
to have access to a personal computer beyond those provided in the
university’s public computing sites. Faculty may assign
computer-intensive work and design computer-intensive courses that
will engage every entering student, on or off campus. While the
easiest and most direct access will be through a PC owned by
the student, ownership is not required. As an entering student, you
are expected to possess or develop computer skills in the following
areas: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software,
Internet research and email. If you do not already have these
skills, there are many campus resources available for developing
them.

Why is having access to a computer important for academic success?

Computer and information technologies
play an increasing role in teaching and learning at UB. Many UB
instructors post course material on Web pages, assign projects
involving Internet and database searching, communicate with class
members by email, and expect professionally prepared projects
and research papers. If you don’t have access to a computer,
you may not be able to fulfill course requirements. All School of
Management classrooms provide wireless computer access.